Postal franking machine



Dec. 14, 1948. K. ODEN POSTAL FRANKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 K. ODEN POSTAL FRAMING MACHINE Dec. 14, 1948.

Filed April 13, .1944

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec.14,1 9 48. K DE 2,456,309

POSTAL FRANKING MACHINE '1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 15, 1944 Dec. 14, 1948. Y K. ODEN 2,456,309

POSTAL FRANKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 15, 1944 Dec. 14, 1948.- K. ODEN POSTAL FRANKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 13. 1944 Dec. 14, 1948.

K. ODEN POSTAL FRANKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 \Q MQ -mN Dec. 14, 1948. K. ODEN I POSTAL FRANKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed April 13, 1944 ?atented Dec. 14, 1948 Knut ()dn,

Stockholm, Akti'ebol'aget Hadar Schmidt, Stockholm,

Sweden, assignor to Sweden, a; corporation of Sweden ApplicationApril 13, 1944,. Serial No. 530,905 In Sweden March. 23 1943 Section 1-, Public Law 690; August-8, 1946 Patent expires March 23, 1963 8 Claims- (Cl. 10-1.68)

The present invention. relates to. postal franking machines. of. the type. comprising. a printing mechanism for franlti'ng. the letters (a iranking mechanism) printing accumulating registers for printing the total. value. of the franking operaticns upon a pre-paid record strip sold by the post oflice, and a charging. register indicating the number of charging procedures, that is, registering. each charging. of the machine with a prepaid strip.

To. further. improve and. facilitate the postal control. some post ofiice departmentsrequire that when the letters. are posteda report be filed. giving, the. setting. of. the. total register and the charging. register before andv after a day's franking operations. Hitherto such reports were written by hand. However, in this way there has been no safeguard against errors; Moreover, the person making the records might be enticed tomake fraudulent reports.

The. invention has for its object to. make possible a safer. and better control of postal franking machines and reliable manner by a mechanism within the ma chine itself.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention. consists in a. iranking' machine comprising. in. addition to the usual printing means set. forth above, further printing means; such as printing hammers and type wheels, for printing the total value of the franking operations on a. special daily-delivery report form before and" after the franking operations of eachday. Preferably, additional printing means are also provided for printing the total number of charging procedures upon said report form before and after the {ranking operations of each day. In this manner the statements on the dailydelivery report form will be correct under all circumstances.

One embodiment of" the invention is illustrated, by Way of an example, in the annexed drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section on the line L-I in Fig. 4 through afranki'ng' machine provided with mechanism according to the invention, this figure showing substantially only such parts asareessential for understanding the in.-

vention. In this embodiment: the. holder: for: the.

daily-delivery form is connected to the revolution stop of the ranking shaft: by. of a: single revolution stop: lever- Fig 2. shows; a portion. of a; daily-delivery report form p tied with; values: of. the total:

to obtain this in a simple and.

2 register and the charging register beforeand after the frankingoperations of one day.

Fig. 3: shows a modification of the embodiment illustrated in Fi 1-.

Fig; 4 shows a part of the machine in a sec tien onthe line IV-IV in Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 through 17 illustrate a more complete disclosure of the franking machine substantially according to the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 3,pro.vided with the device according to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an end View taken ina plane parallel to the cross-section in Fig. l and near that end: of. the: machine which in Fig. 1 is turned from the observer, viz. in a plane extending directly outside of the corresponding end-wall of the frame of the machine, but inside the outer housing. or cover, certain parts being in a different position than in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal elevation of said end-wall: together with the parts on the outsideof said end-wa-ll=,. the outer housing being indicated: by. dashed and dotted lines, and the. arrow V indicating the direction in which the endview of Fig. 5 is seen.

Fig. '7 shows. a cross plane parallel to the nearer the observer, and printing means oiclearness,. and mg: to my copending patent application, Serial No. 68i,9.-71i being used in the lever connection from the holder of the daily-deliveryform; to the main shaft.

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section substantially in the same plane. as Figs. scale and: illustrating substantially only the registering and printing means with adjacent ele ments.

Fig. 9shows across-section in a plane parallel to theplan'e of. Fig- 1 but nearer the observer of Fig. 1, said. Fig. 9- illustrating merely a part of the mechanism.

Fig. IOi shows. a. fractional plan corresponding to Fig; 9; the line I-X--I-X indicating the plane along which the cross-section according to Fig. 9 is? taken.

Fig. 11: shows a fractional longitudinal elevation,. corresponding to Fig. 9, thus seen in the direction of arrow X1 in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12- shows a cross-section. substantially in a plane: lying between the totalizer unit and the adjacent. end wall-,1 illustratingsubstantially only alocking. device for the holder of the prepaid strip.

Figs 13 and 1.4 are side section substantially in a; cross section in Fig. 1 but the franking, registering,v

and and views; re.-

being. omitted for the sake the sensing mechanism accord- 1 and 3 but on agreater 3 spectively, of a coupling wheel in one position of mounting.

Figs. and 16 are wheel in another position of mounting.

Fig. 17 shows a cross-section in a plane parallel to that of Fig. 8 but nearer the observer of Fig. 1, illustrating the ink ribbon feed on the outside of the totalizer unit.

Fig. 18 is a schematic elevation of the machine, indicating the position of some details in a symbolic manner, as well as the lines on which the different cross-sections are taken.

The main type of the franking machine for which the invention has been developed is of that well-known construction in which the total register is adapted to lock the franking machine when the franking operations have attained a certain maximum value corresponding to the prepaid value (the value of the strip sold by the post office) of the strip as set by the pin wheel, and the machine is unlocked when a new prepaid strip is inserted. Then the franking operations may be continued until this prepaid value is attained once more, and so on until the capacity of the total register has been fully utilized. Then the total register sets itself to zero position. The machine is not brought to the post oilice, but only the daily-delivery report form.

In Fig. 1 the reference numeral 1 indicates the main shaft of the franking machine which shaft is rotated for instance by a crank or handle 2, connected with said shaft by means of gearing 3 and 4. On the end portion adjacent to the handle 2, the shaft l carries a pin wheel 5 in which the pre-paid values may be set by means of the members 6. By this setting operation the pre-paid value in question is also set in the printing franking mechanism, mounted in a cylinder on the other end portion of the shaft, as indicated by I, the setting of said members 6 being transmitted to the franking mechanism by means of levers or like means (not shown). The letters to be franked are moved through the machine on a table l2 mounted in the housing l5. When the shaft l is rotated the pin wheel 5 actuates counting or registering wheels l5, l6 by which the total value of the franking operations is set upon the type wheels IT. This total register l5, I6 is illustrated also in Fig. 4. This figure also shows the charging register [6' and the corresponding type wheels which are operated by the insertion of a pre-paid strip. Reference numeral 20 indicates a holder for the prepaid strip or card. Numeral 22 indicates the ink ribbon and 28 indicates the printing hammer which cooperates with said type wheels [1. All these details are well-known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, only a brief description and illustration of the same is necessary.

On the shaft I a disc 30 is securely mounted, which disc is provided with a shoulder 3| cooperating with one end of a stop lever 32, that is, a revolution stop. This lever is rockably mounted on a stationary shaft 33 and has in its other end a slot 311 engaged by a pin 35. This pin is secured on a table 38 slidably mounted in the frame or housing 13 of the machine. On said table a blank form for a daily-delivery record can be inserted. By means of a handle 37 a shaft 38 can be rotated or rocked a definite angle up and down. Said carries disc 39. Two pawls 40 are rockably mounted on journals 4! on this disc. A tension spring 42 interconnecting the pointed ends of said pawls, yieldingly holds the other ends of the pawls in contact respectively with two pins 43 on the corresponding views of said 4 disc 39. On a shaft 44 a printing hammer 45 i; rockably mounted. The hammer, which is mad( as a double-armed lever, carries on one end 2 driving pin 46 and on the opposite end a striking pad 47, for instance, made of hard rubber. When the hammer is in its position of rest, it is, by means of a tension spring 48, yieldingly pressed against a stationary pin 49 mounted in the frame of the machine. On a stationary journal 50 a lever 5! is rotatably mounted, which lever carries a. driving pin 52. The lever has its pointed end 53 resting against the lower edge of the table 36, this edge being bent inwardly. A tension spring 54 has one end connected to a pin 55 on the table 35 and the other end connected to a pin 56 mounted fixedly on the machine frame and which extends through a slot 57 in the table 35. Opposite an opening 60 in the table 36 and opposite the striking pad 41 of the hammer 45 the additional type wheels 82, 62 are mounted. Between the type wheels 62, 62 and the hammer 45 the ink ribbon 22 extends. These type wheels 62, 62' are set from the counting wheels IS, IS through transmission wheels 63, 63 and 64, 64.

The mechanism described operates in the followin manner. When the details of the machine are in the positions shown by full lines in the drawing, the machine is in locked position, because the revolution stop lever 32 is in engagement with the shoulder 3| and prevents rotation of the main shaft I. Thus, this is the position before the days mail is franked. Now, a blank form 10 (Fig. 2) for a daily-delivery record is placed on the table 36 and the handle 31 is moved in the direction of the arrow A until it has reached the position shown by dot-dash lines in Fig. 1. By this motion one of the pawls 40, viz. the left one, engages the pin 46. Because this pawl rests; against the pin 43 and, thus, cannot yield when pressed. against the pin 46, the printing hammer 45 is operated, so that the value set upon the type wheels 62 is printed on the form 7!] in the line B of column D, as shown in Fig. 2. The amount thus printed is the value of the franking operations before the days franking and, thus, corresponds to the total value after the franking operations of the day before. In continuing the rocking motion of the handle 31 the same pawl 40 contacts also the lever 5|, so that this lever is rotated in clock-Wise direction in Fig. 1. By this motion the table 36 is displaced downwards into the postion shown by dot-dash lines, while the pin 35 attached to the table drives the revolution stop lever 32, so that this stop is disengaged from the disc 30 and the shaft I becomes free to rotate. Now, after the printing, the days franking operations are performed in the usual manner. It should be observed that, when the other (right) pawl 40 passes over the pin 46 of the printing hammer 45. the printing hammer is not operated because this pawl .yie1dingly pivots so as to pass the pin 46, this yielding motion not being prevented by the pin 43 of the pawl in question.

After the days franking operations are performed, the handle 31 is returned to the initial position shown by full lines, this movement of return being carried out in a direction opposite to the arrow A. In the first part of this movement the right pawl 40 contacts the pin 46, so that the value now set on the type wheels 62, is printed on the daily-delivery record. Because this record sheet, by the displacement of the table, has been advanced a short distance, this second printing smoociranlcingvalue consumed. in the days iranking.

operations. The printed form is, together with the days; mail; delivered to-the" post ofiice, which, thus, reliably can verify thatcorrespondence exists.

The machine, in addition to theiran'king printing mechanism and the total value of franking printing mechanism, is provided with, further printing mechanism 82" indicating the position of the charging register; This third printing mechanism prints in the column E in Fig. 2' and indicates-the number of charging procedures, that isthe charging of the machine with pre-paid strips sold by the post ofiice. also: can verify that: no unauthorized manipulations: in the-loading have beenmade.

Instead of the pawl-transmission mechanism hereinbeiore described, cam discs may be used to: operate the printing hammer and the table, as shown in Fig. 3. In this modification the shaft 38 is always rotated in the same direction (arrow A )r, iorinstance by means of a knob (not shown) and carries two cam. discs 39", 38 The cam disc 39' engages-the pin 4i and operates the printing. hammer 45.. The cam disc 39" controls the table 36 over the roller 52', the lever 5|, the journal 50 and the second lever 5|;

In Figs. 5: through 1 7 which comprise a more complete disclosure of the machine to which the present invention relates, corresponding details are provided with the same reference numerals as inFi'gs. 1, 3 and 4.

The machine has a main locking device comprising a key lock F5 (Fl-gs. 5 and 6) arranged" onone end: wall 16: of the machine frame. In closed position, as shown in Fig. 5, theshaft 11" of the handle 2" is held over a link 18 and a do 19 engaging the toothed disc 3 on the shaft 1-1. By means of a key (not shown) the main lock is unlocked, the dog 1'9 disengaging the toothed disc 3' against the action of the spring 81". Reference numeral 82 indicates a device serving to prevent rotation of the main shaft l in reverse direction.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate also the holder for r the pre-paid strip extending through a slot in the end-wall 16 and in the cover 83, as well as operative means 84 for printing the prepaid strip and operative means 85 for printing the daily delivery form. Said two operative means are actuated by one and the same key-like handle 31- which may be placed either on the operative, shaft. 38 of the means 85 as shown in. Figs. 5' and. 6, or on the operative shaft 88 oil the means 84. The shaft 88 carries a curved disc 89 (Figs. 8 and 12.) actuating the printing hammer 90 ion the prepaidstrip. Both shafts 3'8 and 88 have positioning discs 91 and 92,, respectively, cooperating with spring-pressed. stop elements 93 and. 94, respectiveI-y.

As will. be. seen from. Figs. 7 and 8,. compared with Fig. 1, the lever connection. from the table36 to the main shaft l. of. the machine. is not made over. one single lever, viz. the. revolutionv stop lever 2 in. Fig. 1, but the lever 51. of. Fig. 3 is. coupled with ablocking member 96. cooperating. with the operative elements. 9.1 of the sensing, mechanism described and illustrated in. my co-pending patent application, Ser.JNo, 681,971,.fll6d1u1y 8,. 19416.5,

Thus, the post office said elements 91' being adapted to release therewluti'on stop disc'- 30- after a letter has been introduced' into' the machine, as described in said copendi'ngapplication.

blocking element 96 is adaptedi toprevent swingingmoti'oniof the rocker 98 of the-senslng mechanism (corresponding to rocl'ser' [:8 in said co-pend- 111g" application) when the table 36- is; in position of start, but to allow such swinging: motion when the tabi'e 36 is its displaced position. In Fig. '7 the position" of start is indicated by dot and dash lines, the table 36 being in its lower position. By

' this: the first printing of lower value will be obtained a line below the second printing 01 higher-value, and not as shown in 2".

E'he swinging motion of the rocker M is blocked also When no pre-paid strip is in the machine 1 or when the value of a pre-paid strip has been consumed, thus also in dependence of the totalizer;

element for such blocking action is shown atl fi' l 9'. Said element 1 01 is made as an arm attached to one end of a sleeve 99 mounted on the shaft 99 Onthe opposite end oi said sleeve is -attach'ed' a second arm Hi2, connected to one end; of; a link H13 the other end of which isconnected with an actuator I'M. This actuator W4 is at shoulder I 05. operated from the totalizer over the coupling wheel M6 to lower the blockingelement lidl from the position shown into the blockingposition when the totalizer has attained the maximum value of the pre-paid strip. When a new pre-paicl strip is insertedintothe machine,

the-"blocking element l ll l is again moved from the blocking position by any suitable actuatin system, for instance connected to the lower end I U lof the actuator Hi4 and operated from the holder 20-. The lever 103 has two positioning recesses KW corresponding to the two positions of the blocking element I B l and cooperating with the positioning means I119. The elements I 03, IM,

HW- and H19 are mountedin a plate H0 carried a. bar MI and the shaft H1 of the wheels 5 i ofthetotalizer.

Said first-mentioned arm I 8 has also a verticalprojection corresponding in shapeto the arm I02 and connected to one end of a second link iii, the other end of which is connected with one arm H 6- of a double-armed lever, the other arm l l'F of which is adapted to cooperate with a stop disc H 8: securely mounted on the shaft 88. The arrangement is suchthat rotation of the shaft 88 and thus printing on the pre-paid strip is prevented when the blocking element NH has moved from blocking position, but rotation of the shaft 88 is allowed when the totalizer has moved the. element NH into blocking position. Said doublearm lever H6, I I1 carries also a signal element 1 l9 serving to indicate, in one position, that a new pre-paid strip has been inserted into the ma.- chine, and that the value. of this pre-paid. strip has not yet been consumed, and in thev other position that. the value of the pre-paid strip hasbeen consumed. In this last-mentioned, position the. shaft 88 can be rotated, whereby the value asset in the totalizer is printed. upon the. pre-paid strip andffinally a projection I20. ondisc I20 (Fig. 12) actuates. a. locking lever l2'lj for the. holder. '20; of the prespaid strip. moving said lever from looking position and. allowing. a spring I22 to displace. saidhol'der. ill a. short distance out of. the machine- New, thelever IZI. isresting upon the edge of the. holder In: and is. not. in locking. position.

However, no letters must. be. iranlted until the first printing has been made uponthe daily delivery note, and therefore. the;

Assuming that the machine has by means of a key and that a new pro-paid strip is to be inserted in the machine, such new prepaid strip is placed upon the holder partly protruding through the end wall it as well as through the outer housing or cover 03. Now, the holder 20 is pushed into the machine by hand. At the same time the actuator I04 is acted upon at I01 to lift the blocking element from blocking position to the position shown in Fig. 9. When the blocking element IJI is liited also the indicator II9 is moved to a signaling position, showing that the machine is charged with a non-consumed pro-paid strip, and at the same time locking the shaft 88 over the disc i I0, so that further rotation of the shaft 88 is prevented and no printing on the pre-paid strip can be effecte The details in question now are in the positions as shown in Figs. 9 and 12.

A form for the daily-delivery note is inserted on its table 36. It is assumed that the shaft 38 has been rotated to such a position that the table is in its lower position and. the blocking element 96 is in blocking position. Now, by means of the removable handle 3'! the shaft 33 is rotated through an angle of 180. During this rotation first the total value of the totalizer is printed on the note (printing hammer being operated from one projection on the cam disc 39') and then the table is moved upwards (the cam disc 39 allowing the table to slide upwards under the action of its springs) During this movement the blocking element 96 is lifted from blocking position to the position as shown in Fig. 7, not preventing oscillation of the rocker 98 of the sensing mechanism.

Now letters may be inserted for franking the same. When a letter is introduced, the revolution stop disc on the main shaft I is released by means of the sensing mechanism indicated in Fig. 7 and clearly described and illustrated in my said co-pending application. When so many 1etters have been franked that the total of all franking values amounts to the Value of the pre-paid strip, for instance $100 (the totalizer thus showing $100 more than before the flanking), the corresponding counting wheel I5 actuates the coupling wheel I06 which operates the members I04, I03, I02, IIJI to depress the element WI into the blocking position. so that oscillation of the rocker 98 of the sensing mechanism is prevented. At the same time the indicator I I9 is moved to a position signaling that the pre-paid strip is consumed, and in which the shaft 88 is released.

Now the removable handle 3'! the shaft 88 and this with the curved disc 89 is rotated. By this motion first the printing hammer 90 is actuated, so that the amount of the totalizcr is printed on the pre-paid strip, and then the stop lever I2! is released by the disc I20, so that the holder 20 of the pre paid strip is (under the action of the tensioned spring I22) moved a distance out of the machine. Now, the consumed pro-paid strip can be removed and a new prepaid strip can be placed on the holder '20 which then is inserted into the machine, as already described.

When all letters of the days mail have been franked, the handle 31 is placed upon the shaft 38 and is turned through an angle of further 180, whereby first the amount of the totalizer is printed on the daily delivery note and then the table 361s moved downwards, the blocking element been unlocked is placed upon 95 being depressed into the blocking position. The table 36 and the associated parts remain in this position until the letters of the next days mail are to be franked. Thus, the machine cannot be used until the first printing has been made upon the note.

The coupling wheel I05 has ten teeth on one of its two end sides but only one tooth on the opposite end side. Either end side is used as transmitting element. As will be seen from Figs. 1 la, 15 and 16, the coupling wheel is composed of a disc Hi0 having one tooth I3I, and a gear ring i 32 having ten teeth I33. In Figs. 13 and 14 the actuator is engaged by the ten-teeth side, and the blocking element i0! is operated each time the amount of is attained. By reversing the wheel as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the onetcoth side can be brought into position of use, and the blocking element IOI can be actuated by the amount of, for instance, $500. Of course, in this case the amount of $500 must be paid for each strip.

The feeding mechanism for the ink ribbon 22 is illustrated in Fig. 17. The ink ribbon 22 extends from the reel M0 over the rollers MI, I42, to the reel I44. The reel I44 is provided with a toothed disc I45 which is rotated one step each time the printing hammer 45 is operated. This stop-by-step rotation is effected from the printing hammer 45 over an arm I47 rigidly connected with hammer t5, and a link I48 adapted to rock a swingable support I49 for the pawl I50. The pawl mechanism I5I serves to prevent reverse rotation of the reel I44.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for printing franlzing values directly on letters inserted into the com prising, in combination, operating for the franking mechanism, a. holder for pro-paid strip, an accumulating register for the total no age value of the franking operations, type i ments mounted on one side of said holder and connected with accumulating register to he set by the same, second holder for a daily de livery report form, additional type elements: mounted on one side of the second holder and connected with said total accumulating register to be set by the same, pressing means mounted on the opposite side of the first holder to cooperate With the first-mentioned type elements to print the total value of the franking operations on pre-paid strip, additional pressing meou'a mounted on the opposite side of the second holder to cooperate with the additional type elements to print the total value of the frankin operatic on said daily delivery report form, and cperatln z' means for said additional pressing means.

2. In a machine for printing franlcing values directly on letters inserted into the same, comprising, in combination, operating means for the franking mechanism, a holder for a pre-paid strip, an accumulating register actuated by the franking mechanism for the total postage value of the franking operations, type elements mounted on one side of said holder and connected with said accumulating register to be set by the same, a second holder for a daily delivery report form. additional type elements mounted on one side of the second holder and connected with said total accumulating register to be set by the same. pressing means mounted on the opposite side of the first holder to cooperate with the firstmentioned type elements to print the total value of the iranking operations on said pre-paid strip, additional pressing means mounted on the opposite side of the second holder to cooperate with the additional type elements to print the total value of the franking operations on said daily delivery report form, operating means for said additional pressing means, and means interconnecting the operating means for the franking machine and the operating means for the additional pressing means. for locking the former when the latter is in one position and unlocking it when in another position.

3. In a machine for printing ranking values directly on letters inserted into the same, comprising in combination, operating means for the franking mechanism, a holder for a pre-paid strip, an accumulating register responsive to actions of the iranking mechanism for registering the total postage value of the iranking operations, a second accumulating register for registering the total number of pre-paid strip charging operations, that is, the number of insertions of such pre-paid strips into the machine, type elements mounted on one side of said holder and connected with said accumulatin register to be set by the same, a second holder for holding a daily delivery report form, additional type elements mounted on one side of the second holder and connected with said total accumulating register to be set by the same, other additional type elements mounted on said side of the second holder and connected with said charging register to be set by the same, pressing means mounted on the'opposite side of the first holder to cooperate with the opposed type to print the total value of the franking operations, additional pressing means mounted on the opposite side of the second holder to cooperate with the opposed type to print the total value of the {ranking operations as well as the total number of charging procedures on said daily delivery report form before and after the franking operations of each day, operating means for said additional pressing means, and means interconnecting the operating means for the franking mechanism and the operating means for the additional pressing means for locking the former when the latter is in one position and unlocking it when in another position.

4. In a machine for printing franking values directly on letters inserted in the same, comprising in combination, operating means for the franking mechanism, a holder for holding a prepaid strip, actuation of the tering the total postage value of the franking operations, a second accumulating register for the total number of pre-paid strip charging operations, that is, the number of insertions of such pre-paid strips into said machine, type elements mounted on one side of said holder and connected with said accumulating register to be set by the same, a slidable holding table for a daily delivery report form, additional type elements mounted on one side of said slidable holding table and connected with said total accumulating register to be set by the same, other additional type elements mounted on said side of said slidable holding table and connected with said charging register to be set by the same, pressing means mounted on the opposite side of the first holder to cooperate with the opposed type to print the total value of the franking operations on said pre-paid strip, additional pressing means mounted on the opposite side of said slidable holding table to cooperate with the opposed type to print the total an accumulating register responsive to franking mechanism for regisvalue of the franking operations as well as the total number of charging procedures on said daily delivery report form before and after the franking operations of each day, a handle coupled with said additional pressing means and said slidable holding table, to operate said additional pressing means and subsequently to displace said slidable holding table, when manipulated before the franking of each day, and again to operate said additional printing means and subsequently to allow return movement of said slidable holding table, when manipulated after the franking of each day, and a lock connected with said handle for locking the frankin machine operating means when said handle is manipulated in one direction and unlocking said operating means when said handle is moved in the other direction.

5. A franking machine as claimed in claim 4, and in which the lock comprises a stop lever connected with said handle, said stop lever being in its locking position until said additional pressing means has been operated by the manipulation of said handle before the beginning of franking each day.

6. A franking machine as claimed in claim 4, and in which the lock comprises a stop lever connected with said slidable holding table and is in its locking position when said table is in its initial position.

7. A franking machine as claimed in claim 4, and in which the operating means for moving said slidable table includes a rotary member con nected with said handle, two rockable pawls mounted on said rotary member, an actuating arm on said additional pressing means, arranged in the path of movement of said pawls to be operated by the same, an actuating lever for said slidable holding table, also arranged in the path of movement of said pawls to be operated by the same, a stop attached to said rotary member, to fix one of said pawls when said rotary member is rotated in one direction, a second stop attached to said rotary member, to fix the other of said pawls when said rotary member is rotated on the opposite direction, and a spring connected with said pawls, to hold each pawl yieldingly in contact with one of said stops.

8. A franking machine as claimed in claim 4, and in which the operating means for the additional pressing means includes two cam discs, an actuating arm on said additional pressing means, said arm engaging with one of said cam discs, and an actuating lever for said slidable holding table, said lever engaging with the other of said cam discs.

KNUT ODEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of Correction December 14, 1948.

Patent No. 2,456,309.

KNUT ODEN fied that errors appear in the above numbered patent requiring It is hereby certi correction as follows: In the drawings, Sheet 3, containing Fig. 4 as shown below, should be inserted as part of the Letters Patent. Dec. 14, 1948.

K. ODEN lOSTAL FRANKING mourns 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 13, 1944 lull-ll.

In the headings of the drawings, Sheets 1 to 7 inclusive, line 3, for 7 Sheets read 8 Sheets; sheets now numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 should be numbered 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, respectively and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day df June, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssioner of Patents. 

